Game apparatus.



G. L. TUTHILL & (L G- VAN WORMER.

I GAME APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED APE.2,1908.

Patented June 22, 1909.

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CHARLES L. TUTHILL AND CHARLES C. VAN WORMER, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1909.

*=. county of Kane, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification;

Our invention relates to games and particularly to that class of game apparatus characterized by a dial and an indicator or pointer rotatably mounted thereon.

The object of our invention is to provide a game apparatus as mentioned which may be used to play games similar to dice games.

A further object of our invention is to provide a game apparatus characterized by a dial and a rotary pointer, so constructed that the pointer cannot come to rest above a division line beween the characters on the disk.

A further object of our invention is to provide a game apparatus of the class mentioned equipped with improved means for operating the pointer.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

Our invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specifica-' tion, and in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a game apparatus embodying our invention in its preferred form, the glass dome which covers the dial being in section, the section being taken on substantially the line w-w of Fig. 2, Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the device, Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line y-y of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrating the dial actuating mechanism in another position.

The device comprises a dial having a plurality of symbols arranged at intervals about its periphery and representing the several faces of dice, and a numeral adjacent to each of said symbols. Rotatably mounted above the disk is an indicator or pointer having a flexible member, such as a bristle secured at one end thereof, and a vertically disposed pin is arranged between each two of said symbols and in the'path of the end of the bristle. This prevents the indicator stopping above a line between the symbols thus avoiding any dispute. To prevent interference with the indicator the whole is covered by a glass dome. The indicator is operated by a pinion fixed to its spindle beneath the dial and a segment pivotally mounted in a plane therewith. Suitable means are provided for reciprocating the segment and the device is arranged so that the segment will be held in engagement with the pinion when traveling in one direction and withdrawn therefrom when moving in the opposite direction. The operating mechanism is inclosed in a suitable case of which thedial forms the top.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 indicates the outer shell of the case which is preferably cylindrical and provided at its upper edge with an inturned annular flange 2, the purpose of which will appear hereinafter. Arranged within the shell 1 and secured thereto is a second cylindrical member 3 which is of less height than the former, its upper edge 3 forming a rest or support for the circular dial plate 4. To better support the dial plate a plurality of brackets 5 are secured to the double wall 13 and provided with horizontal upper flanges 6 upon which the plate 4 rests. 'The brackets 5 are also provided with the lower horizontal flanges 7 to which the bottom plate 8 of the case is secured.

9 indicates a glass dome coverin the dial plate andprovided with the annular flange or rib 9 which is held between the edge of the dial plate 4 and the flange 2.

Upon the upper face of the plate 4 is arranged the dial 10. This is provided with a plurality of symbols 11 representing the several faces of dice which are arranged at regular intervals about the periphery of the dial. Adjacent to each of the symbols, that is in a radial line therewith is a numeral 12 and between each two of the symbols is arranged a vertical pin 13.

14 is the indicator rotatably mounted above the dial upon a spindle 15. The indicator is provided with the balance weights 16 and the pointer end is provided with a flexible extension 17, such as a bristle. The end of the member 17 extends. slightly beyond the circle of the pins 13, hence when the indicator comes to rest the bristle will rest between two of said pins, thus preventing the indicator from stopping upon adivision line between the symbols. The spindle 15 is provided with a pinion 18 fixed thereto beneath the dial plate 4, and its lower end is pointed as at 19 and rests in a conical bearing20 fixed to the center of the bottom plate 8 of the case.

21 indicates a segmental gear pivotally mounted upon a post 22 fixed between the plates 4 and 8 in blocks or bearings 23. The segment 21 is radially slotted as at 24 to receive the post so that the gear may be held in position to engage the pinion or be withdrawn therefrom.

25 and 26 indicate stops depending from the plate 4, or arranged between the plates & and 8 to limit the movement of the segment. The stops are so positioned as to permit the segment to pass out of engagement with the pinionin each direction. A coiled spring 27 arranged about the post 22 and secured as at 28 to the segment holds the latter in normal or retracted position. To operate the segment a slide 29 having a finger piece 30 is slidably mounted through the side of the case and is connected by a link 31 to the segment. By drawing the slide outwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 the segmental gear is engaged with the pinion 18, setting the indicator in motion. Upon releasing the slide the spring 27 returns the segment to normal position. It is obvious that if the segmental gear was permitted to return through the same path it would interfere with the rotation of the indicator. It is to this end that the segment is slotted as at 24, and suitable means are provided for withdrawing the gear from engagement with the pinion. This comprises a flange depending from the plate 4 and a cam-lug on the segment. 32 indicates the flange which is curved into an arc with the post 22 as a center, and 33 indicates the lug on the segment. The lug 33 is angularly disposed and so positioned that as the segment is drawn forward it will engage the side 32 of the flange nearest to the pinion and hold the gear in engagement therewith. As the segment moves backwardly, the lug 33 engages the opposite side of the flange and withdraws the segment from engagement with the gear. When the segment reaches normal position, that is in engagement with the stop 25, the lug-33 passes beyond the end of the flange and the spring throws the segment outwardly into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. e)

In playing the game, the indicator is rotated in the manner described. When it comes to rest, the flexible end is between two of the pins and the count is indicated by the combination of the symbol 11 and the adjacent numeral 12. Thus for instance,

-merical figure adjacent to each of the first said symbols, substantially as described.

2. A game apparatus comprising a symbol bearing dial, in combination with an indicator rotatably mounted above said disk, said indicator having a rotary spindle a pinion on said spindle, a post, a segmental gear pivotally mounted on said post and slotted to receive the same, means for reciprocating said gear, a fixed flange forming an arc with the posts as a center and a lug on said gear to engage said flange to hold the gear in engagement with the pinion when moving in one direction and to withdraw it from engagement therewith when moving in the opposite direction, substantially as described.-

3. A game apparatus comprising a cylindrical casing having a fixed top and bottom and a dial arranged upon saidtop, in combination with an indicator rotatably mounted above said dial, said indicator having a rotary spindle, a pinion on said spindle, a vertically disposed post arranged within said casing and adjacent to the side thereof, a segmental gear pivotally mounted on said post and slotted to receive the same, a plunger extending radially through the side of said casing adjacent to said post, a link connecting said plunger with said gear, said plunger being adapted to move the gear in one direction, a spring for returning the same to normal position and means for holding said gear in engagement with said pinion when moving in one direction and for holding it out of engagement therewith when moving in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. L. TUTHILL. f CHARLES C. VAN WORMER.

Witnesses:

ELLEN ALICE HANCOCK, HELEN F. LILLIs. 

